By Deborah Dittner
In your golden years, the need for socialization is crucial.
Sadly, loneliness seems to be taking center stage for many.
Negative health effects created from this solitude are rising. Social activities such as clubs, theaters, playgrounds, volunteer activities and music venues that were once abundant, have dwindled.
You go to work traveling by car and return home to then turn on the television with little to no interaction with others.
Screen time on phones has skyrocketed removing you from activities that you used to enjoy. Downtime has left the outside world and has become a technological game of texting, scrolling and depleting social skills. There is great importance in physically meeting others which needs to return to your everyday existence.
The cost of the lack of socialization in the aging population appears to have an increase in developing dementia.
Of course, lack of socialization is not the only factor in the development of dementia. Conditions contributing to this include diabetes, mental health issues, obesity and cardiovascular problems such as hypertension.
As one ages, incorporating socialization into daily activity may be of benefit, delaying the possibility of dementia.
Frequent socialization aids in cognition, delaying signs of dementia by approximately five years. Connecting with the outside world aids in brain health, keeping you independent and productive longer.
Connections with your peers, with children, with those you meet on the street, challenges you mentally and physically through conversation and activity.
In turn, socialization may reduce stressors of everyday life as you use brain function to communicate your feelings, concerns, thoughts, teachings and more to those around you.
With socialization comes the balance of hormones as this challenges brain function. And then there is physical activity which many social engagements encourage, all protecting body, mind and spirit.
To maintain socialization, you may wonder, “but what am I to do?” It can be very simple so don’t try to overthink or complicate the prospects. Some possibilities:
• Volunteer — find a cause that you are passionate about and join in. Animal shelters if you’re a pet lover, libraries if you love to read, grandparent programs at daycare, preschool and elementary schools, senior centers, delivering Meals on Wheels to those homebound, home health agencies, veterans’ groups, literacy and mentoring programs. A multitude of possibilities.
• Physical activity — staying active through fitness classes (yoga, chair yoga, tai chi) or walking groups. Many of these activities meet anywhere from once to multiple times a week so you get to choose. These possibilities allow you to socialize and gain physical benefits.
• Clubs — a shared interest in a topic encourages active conversation. Check out local bookstores for book clubs on various topics. Do you love to knit or crochet? Search for a local yarn store that may produce items for town raffles. What other hobbies do you have that you can socialize with? And don’t forget gardening groups especially as spring planting is around the corner. Community gardens attract conversation and the growing of yummy vegetables.
• Education — have you ever wanted to learn a new language or different gardening practices or possibly a different career? Schools often offer adult education courses such as cooking classes for specific cuisines. It’s never too late to enroll in a class or workshop, as this promotes not only socialization but also encourages brain health.
• Family and friends — whether living in the same town or many miles away, catching up possibly through Facetime or phone or meeting up for coffee or dinner once a week or month will stimulate conversation and improve socialization.
• Off the cuff — start up a conversation with a total stranger at the coffee shop while picking up your morning cup o’joe, while standing in line at the grocery store or while wandering through an antique shop or garden center. There’re many interesting people out there to enjoy.
Socialization, in whatever means you decide upon undertaking, will only improve your quality of life by aiding in brain health and physical health, adding additional years of cognition and even a new friend or two.
Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. www.debdittner.com